Watching siskins
Photo: Mats Kangur
Translation: Liis
Siskin (male bird) in black alder
| Siskin |
Siisike
|
Carduelis spinus |
The forest camera in western Virumaa shows flocks of birds feeding on the grounds lifting and flying with a billowing movement, or constantly moving up and down. This is typical of flying siskins.
On the winter menu are birch, alder and black alder seeds. Often the birds hang in thinner twigs with their backs downwards like tits. They also visit bird feeders.
The back plumage of siskins is greenish with narrow black bands. The black wings have some yellowish-green bands. The head and under-chin area of the male bird are black. The head and under-chin area of the female are grey, the flanks more densely barred. Juvenile birds are similar to the females but have brighter yellow colour.
On the feeding ground the siskins accompany the redpolls that are non-migrating but only winter in Estonia. The winter numbers have varied widely over the years, from some tens of thousands to hundreds thousands.
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